By the time of the release of
Drake
's first full-length album, the Canadian rapper was already a star thanks to his huge single
"Best I Ever Had,"
his celebrated mixtape and then EP
So Far Gone
, and his spots on hits by
Young Money
and
Eminem
.
Thank Me Later
had the tough assignment of living up to the anticipation and further
as an artist, and it totally lives up to the hype. Thanks to the rich and nuanced production and
's thoughtful, playful, and intense lyrics,
is a radio-friendly, chart-topping collection of singles but also a serious examination of
's life that holds up as an album.
Most of the record finds the young rapper (23 at the time of release) conflicted about his growing stardom and fame. Whether it's a relationship splitting up as on the melancholy
"Karaoke,"
worries about the fame changing him (
"The Resistance"
), fears that so-called real hip-hop fans will find him manufactured (
"Show Me a Good Time"
), or the difficult nature of romance when you're a star (
"Miss Me"
),
isn't afraid to examine what the past year has done to his life. He's also not afraid to talk about how great life has become as well, dropping plenty of lines about the money, the women, and his own prowess as a rapper. His belief in his own skills is well-founded, as the list of collaborators lined up to work with him attests.
T.I.
,
Swizz Beatz
Young Jeezy
the-Dream
Jay-Z
Alicia Keys
, and
's mentor
Lil Wayne
all drop by to add verses, sing hooks, and produce tracks, and their presence sometimes serves to liven things up and keep
away from his melancholy nature.
The
/
track
"Fancy"
is a fun and sassy summer jam with a huge hook, his track with
(
"Light Up"
) is a fierce takedown of the Industry and the damage it can wreak, and the
Nicki Minaj
collabo
"Up All Night"
is a tough-as-nails boast that features
at his most insistent. Elsewhere,
's verse on
is his usual breathtaking verbal roller coaster,
's vocals on the verses of
"Shut It Down"
are heartbreakingly sincere, and
Jeezy
adds some welcome ferociousness to
"Unforgettable."
It's like all the guests had to bring their best game to keep up with
, and they didn't want the youngster to show them up. He never shows anyone up exactly (though
's verse sounds kind of out of breath compared to
's), but he definitely proves that he belongs at the very top of the game. His nimble flow is impressive; his words are heartfelt, brainy, and surprising; and while his singing may not be the best, it shows a vulnerability that is rare in rap circles. Indeed, it is this willingness to be introspective and honest that makes
unique and helps make
special. It is the rare album, rap or otherwise, that follows through on the artist's potential and the fan's anticipation. ~ Tim Sendra